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Sato A, Takagi K, Yoshimura A, Tsukamoto W, Yamaguchi-Tanaka M, Miki Y, Ebata A, Miyashita M, Suzuki T. Kallikrein-Related Peptidase 12 (KLK12) in Breast Cancer as a Favorable Prognostic Marker. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24098419. [PMID: 37176127 PMCID: PMC10179240 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24098419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Revised: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Kallikrein-related peptides (KLKs) form an evolutionally conserved subgroup of secreted serine proteases that consists of 15 members (KLK1-15). Previous studies have shown that KLKs regulate diverse biological processes, but the clinical significance of KLKs remains largely unclear in human breast cancers. We examined the expression profile of 15 KLK genes in breast carcinomas using microarray data. Next, we immunolocalized KLK12 in 140 breast carcinomas and evaluated its clinical significance. Subsequently, we examined the effects of KLK12 on proliferation and migration in breast cancer cell lines. From microarray analyses, it turned out that KLK12 was the most strongly associated with low-grade malignancy in breast carcinomas among the 15 KLK members. Immunohistochemical KLK12 status was positively associated with ER and PR status, while it was inversely associated with stage, pathological T factor, lymph node metastasis, and distant metastasis. Prognostic analyses demonstrated that KLK12 was a favorable prognostic factor for both disease-free and breast cancer-specific survival of the patients. Furthermore, the knockdown of KLK12 significantly increased cell proliferation activity and cell migration of breast cancer cells. These results suggest that KLK12 has antitumorigenic effects associated with proliferation and migration and immunohistochemical KLK12 status as a potent favorable prognostic factor in breast carcinoma patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ai Sato
- Department of Pathology and Histotechnology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai 980-8575, Miyagi-ken, Japan
| | - Kiyoshi Takagi
- Department of Pathology and Histotechnology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai 980-8575, Miyagi-ken, Japan
| | - Ayano Yoshimura
- Department of Pathology and Histotechnology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai 980-8575, Miyagi-ken, Japan
| | - Wakana Tsukamoto
- Department of Pathology and Histotechnology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai 980-8575, Miyagi-ken, Japan
| | - Mio Yamaguchi-Tanaka
- Department of Pathology and Histotechnology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai 980-8575, Miyagi-ken, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Miki
- Department of Anatomic Pathology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai 980-8575, Miyagi-ken, Japan
- Department of Disaster Obstetrics and Gynecology, International Research Institute of Disaster Science, Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8574, Miyagi-ken, Japan
| | - Akiko Ebata
- Department of Breast and Endocrine Surgical Oncology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai 980-8575, Miyagi-ken, Japan
- Department of Breast Surgery, Osaki Citizen Hospital, Osaki 989-6183, Miyagi-ken, Japan
| | - Minoru Miyashita
- Department of Breast and Endocrine Surgical Oncology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai 980-8575, Miyagi-ken, Japan
| | - Takashi Suzuki
- Department of Pathology and Histotechnology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai 980-8575, Miyagi-ken, Japan
- Department of Anatomic Pathology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai 980-8575, Miyagi-ken, Japan
- Department of Pathology, Tohoku University Hospital, Sendai 980-8574, Miyagi-ken, Japan
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Adamopoulos PG, Koukouzeli FΕ, Kontos CK, Scorilas A. Identification of six novel alternative transcripts of the human kallikrein-related peptidase 15 (KLK15), using 3'RACE and high-throughput sequencing. Gene 2020; 749:144708. [PMID: 32334022 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2020.144708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2019] [Revised: 03/31/2020] [Accepted: 04/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The kallikrein-related peptidase 15 (KLK15) gene is a member of the largest cluster of serine proteases in the human genome. Exhibiting trypsin-like activity, KLK15 is most likely involved in the activation of prostate-specific antigen (PSA; also known as KLK3), an established biomarker for the diagnosis and screening of prostate cancer. High mRNA expression levels of KLK15 have already been reported in ovarian and prostate cancer, in contrast with breast cancer, where KLK15 has been proposed as a biomarker of favorable prognosis. In this study, we exploited the next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology along with 3' rapid amplification of cDNA ends (3' RACE) to discover alternative KLK15 splice variants. Extensive computational analysis of the obtained NGS data revealed the existence of novel splice junctions, thus supporting the existence of novel KLK15 transcripts. Six novel KLK15 splice variants were identified and verified by Sanger sequencing. Two of them (KLK15 v.11 and v.12) contain an open reading frame and are hence predicted to encode two novel KLK15 protein isoforms. Expression analysis of each KLK15 splice variant in sixteen cDNA pools from malignant cell lines and in normal cell lines (HEK293, HaCaT, and BJ cells) revealed very different expression profiles of particular KLK15 transcripts. Moreover, the new KLK15 splice variants were shown to be expressed in breast, ovarian, prostate, urinary bladder, colon, and renal tissue specimens. Due to the prominent clinical value of KLK15 mRNA expression, the novel KLK15 transcripts appear as candidate cancer biomarkers for diagnostic and/or prognostic purposes and, therefore, merit further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panagiotis G Adamopoulos
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15701 Athens, Greece
| | - Fotini Ε Koukouzeli
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15701 Athens, Greece
| | - Christos K Kontos
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15701 Athens, Greece
| | - Andreas Scorilas
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15701 Athens, Greece.
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Filippou PS, Ren AH, Soosaipillai A, Papaioannou MD, Korbakis D, Safar R, Diamandis EP, Conner JR. Expression profile of human tissue kallikrein 15 provides preliminary insights into its roles in the prostate and testis. Clin Biochem 2018; 59:78-85. [DOI: 10.1016/j.clinbiochem.2018.06.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2018] [Revised: 06/07/2018] [Accepted: 06/25/2018] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
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Filippou PS, Ren AH, Bala S, Papaioannou MD, Brinc D, Prassas I, Karakosta T, Diamandis EP. Biochemical characterization of human tissue kallikrein 15 and examination of its potential role in cancer. Clin Biochem 2018; 58:108-115. [PMID: 29928903 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinbiochem.2018.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2018] [Revised: 05/25/2018] [Accepted: 06/12/2018] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Human tissue kallikrein 15 (KLK15) is the last cloned member of the KLK-related gene family. Despite being implicated in multiple cancers, its pathophysiological role remains unknown. We aimed to biochemically characterize KLK15 and preliminarily study its role in cancer. DESIGN & METHODS Recombinant KLK15 protein was produced, purified to homogeneity and quantified by mass spectrometry (parallel reaction monitoring analysis). We profiled the enzymatic activity of KLK15 using fluorogenic peptide substrates, and performed kinetic analysis to discover the cleavage sites. As KLK15 has mainly been associated with prostate cancer, we used a degradomic approach and subsequent KEGG pathway analysis to identify a number of putative protein substrates in the KLK15-treated prostate cancer cell line PC3. RESULTS We discovered trypsin-like activity in KLK15, finding that it cleaves preferentially after arginine (R). The enzymatic activity of KLK15 was regulated by different factors such as pH, cations and serine protease inhibitors. Notably, we revealed that KLK15 most likely interacts with the extracellular matrix (ECM) receptor group. CONCLUSION To our knowledge, this is the first study that experimentally verifies the trypsin-like activity of KLK15. We show here for the first time that KLK15 may be able to cleave many ECM components, similar to several members of the KLK family. Thus the protease could potentially be linked to tumorigenesis by promoting metastasis via this mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panagiota S Filippou
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada; Department of Clinical Biochemistry, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | - Annie H Ren
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada; Mount Sinai Hospital, Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Toronto, Canada
| | - Sudarshan Bala
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | | | - Davor Brinc
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | - Ioannis Prassas
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Canada
| | - Theano Karakosta
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada; Department of Clinical Biochemistry, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | - Eleftherios P Diamandis
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada; Department of Clinical Biochemistry, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada; Mount Sinai Hospital, Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Toronto, Canada; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Canada.
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Papachristopoulou G, Tsapralis N, Michaelidou K, Ardavanis-Loukeris G, Griniatsos I, Scorilas A, Talieri M. Human kallikrein-related peptidase 12 (KLK12) splice variants discriminate benign from cancerous breast tumors. Clin Biochem 2018; 58:78-85. [PMID: 29807016 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinbiochem.2018.05.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2018] [Revised: 05/15/2018] [Accepted: 05/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES As kallikrein-related peptidase 12 (KLK12) has been implicated in the cancer progression and alternative splicing plays significant role in this disease, the aim of this study was to examine the expression profile and the clinical impact of the KLK12 splice variants in breast cancer. DESIGN AND METHODS Total RNA was isolated and reverse transcripted from 141 tissues. Afterwards, quantitative real-time PCR were conducted, followed by the performance of the comparative CT (2-ΔΔCT) method for relative quantification, whilst their correlation with the clinicopathological features of breast malignancies were assessed by statistical analysis. RESULTS Both KLK12sv1/2 and KLK12sv3 showed higher expression in non-cancerous than in cancerous samples. KLKsv1/2 (P = 0.001) upregulated and KLK12sv3 (P < 0.001) downregulated in the malignant compared to the benign tumors and their discriminative ability was verified by ROC curve analysis. Moreover, KLK12sv3 was associated with grade (P = 0.012) and hormonal receptor status (P = 0.001). Furthermore, Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analyses showed that patients with positive KLK12sv1/2 and KLK12sv3 levels presented a significantly longer disease-free survival (P = 0.014 and P = 0.013, respectively) and overall survival (P = 0.062 and P = 0.004, respectively). CONCLUSIONS Our results demonstrate the discriminative value of KLK12sv1/2 and KLK12sv3 between benign and malignant breast tumors as well as their potential favorable prognostic significance in breast adenocarcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgia Papachristopoulou
- Department of Pathology, "Saint Savvas" Cancer Hospital of Athens, Athens GR-11522, Greece; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens GR-15701, Greece
| | - Nikolaos Tsapralis
- Department of Breast Cancer Surgery, "Saint Savvas" Cancer Hospital of Athens, Athens GR-11522, Greece
| | - Kleita Michaelidou
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens GR-15701, Greece
| | - Gerasimos Ardavanis-Loukeris
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens GR-15701, Greece
| | - Ioannis Griniatsos
- First Department of Surgery, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, "Laiko" Hospital, Athens GR-11527, Greece
| | - Andreas Scorilas
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens GR-15701, Greece
| | - Maroulio Talieri
- Department of Cellular Physiology, G. Papanicolaou Research Center of Oncology, "Saint Savvas" Cancer Hospital of Athens, Athens GR-11522, Greece.
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Clinical relevance of kallikrein-related peptidase 9, 10, 11, and 15 mRNA expression in advanced high-grade serous ovarian cancer. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0186847. [PMID: 29095848 PMCID: PMC5667830 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0186847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2017] [Accepted: 10/09/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
KLK9, 10, 11, and 15 may represent potential cancer biomarkers for evaluating ovarian cancer prognosis. In the present study, we selected a homogeneous cohort including 139 patients of advanced high-grade serous ovarian cancer (FIGO stage III/IV) and assessed the mRNA levels of KLK9, 10, 11, and 15 in tumor tissue by quantitative PCR. No significant associations of KLK9, 10, 11, and 15 mRNA with established clinical parameters (residual tumor mass, ascitic fluid volume) were found. Pronounced correlations between KLK10/KLK11 (rs = 0.647) and between KLK9/KLK15 (rs = 0.716) mRNA, but not between other combinations, indicate coordinate expression of distinct pairs of peptidases. In univariate Cox regression analysis, elevated KLK11 mRNA levels were significantly linked with prolonged overall survival (OS; p = 0.021) and progression-free survival (PFS; p = 0.008). KLK15 mRNA levels showed a trend towards significance in case of OS (p = 0.06); KLK9 and KLK10 mRNA expression levels were not associated with patients' outcome. In multivariable Cox analysis, KLK11 mRNA expression levels, apart from residual tumor mass, remained an independent predictive marker for OS (p = 0.007) and PFS (p = 0.015). Here, elevated KLK15 mRNA expression levels turned out to be significantly related to prolonged OS (p = 0.025) as well. High KLK11 but not the other KLK mRNA levels can be considered as strong independent favorable prognostic factor in this major ovarian cancer subtype.
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The kallikrein-related peptidase family: Dysregulation and functions during cancer progression. Biochimie 2015; 122:283-99. [PMID: 26343558 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2015.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2015] [Accepted: 09/01/2015] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Cancer is the second leading cause of death with 14 million new cases and 8.2 million cancer-related deaths worldwide in 2012. Despite the progress made in cancer therapies, neoplastic diseases are still a major therapeutic challenge notably because of intra- and inter-malignant tumour heterogeneity and adaptation/escape of malignant cells to/from treatment. New targeted therapies need to be developed to improve our medical arsenal and counter-act cancer progression. Human kallikrein-related peptidases (KLKs) are secreted serine peptidases which are aberrantly expressed in many cancers and have great potential in developing targeted therapies. The potential of KLKs as cancer biomarkers is well established since the demonstration of the association between KLK3/PSA (prostate specific antigen) levels and prostate cancer progression. In addition, a constantly increasing number of in vitro and in vivo studies demonstrate the functional involvement of KLKs in cancer-related processes. These peptidases are now considered key players in the regulation of cancer cell growth, migration, invasion, chemo-resistance, and importantly, in mediating interactions between cancer cells and other cell populations found in the tumour microenvironment to facilitate cancer progression. These functional roles of KLKs in a cancer context further highlight their potential in designing new anti-cancer approaches. In this review, we comprehensively review the biochemical features of KLKs, their functional roles in carcinogenesis, followed by the latest developments and the successful utility of KLK-based therapeutics in counteracting cancer progression.
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Kolin DL, Sy K, Rotondo F, Bassily MN, Kovacs K, Brezden-Masley C, Streutker CJ, Yousef GM. Prognostic significance of human tissue kallikrein-related peptidases 11 and 15 in gastric cancer. Tumour Biol 2015. [PMID: 26224476 DOI: 10.1007/s13277-015-3802-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Human tissue kallikrein-related peptidases (KLK) are a group of 15 serine proteases which have been investigated as potential cancer biomarkers. This study determined the prognostic significance of KLK 11 and 15 expression levels in gastric carcinoma specimens. Expression of KLK11 and KLK15 was assessed by immunohistochemistry staining on a tissue microarray constructed from 113 gastrectomy specimens from patients with gastric carcinoma. To minimize inter-observer variability, expression levels were quantified using an automated algorithm. Epithelial and stromal staining were assessed separately. Both KLK11 and KLK15 were expressed in gastric carcinoma. There was no significant correlation between either KLK11 or KLK15 expression and the presence of lymph node metastases or Lauren classification (intestinal vs. diffuse). Higher levels of KLK11 expression in gastric carcinoma were associated with significantly worse overall survival (p = 0.008), and a multivariate analysis showed that it had prognostic value independent of tumor stage and differentiation (p = 0.004). Variations in KLK15 expression were not significantly associated with prognosis. KLK11 shows promise as a potential independent prognostic marker for gastric carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- David L Kolin
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and the Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science of St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, M5B 1W8, Canada.,Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Keiyan Sy
- Department of Pathology, Credit Valley Hospital, Mississauga, ON, L5M 2N1, Canada
| | - Fabio Rotondo
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and the Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science of St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, M5B 1W8, Canada
| | - Mena N Bassily
- Department of Community Medicine and Public Health, Menoufiya University, Shebeen el kom, Egypt
| | - Kalman Kovacs
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and the Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science of St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, M5B 1W8, Canada
| | - Christine Brezden-Masley
- Department of Medicine and Hematology-Oncology, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, M5B 1W8, Canada
| | - Catherine J Streutker
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and the Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science of St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, M5B 1W8, Canada.,Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - George M Yousef
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and the Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science of St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, M5B 1W8, Canada. .,Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, M5S 1A8, Canada. .,Department of Laboratory Medicine, St. Michael's Hospital, 30 Bond St, Toronto, ON, M5B 1W8, Canada.
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Johnson IR, Parkinson-Lawrence EJ, Butler LM, Brooks DA. Prostate cell lines as models for biomarker discovery: performance of current markers and the search for new biomarkers. Prostate 2014; 74:547-60. [PMID: 24435746 DOI: 10.1002/pros.22777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2013] [Accepted: 12/25/2013] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prostate cancer cell lines have been used in the search for biomarkers that are suitable for prostate cancer diagnosis. Unfortunately, many cell line studies have only involved single cell lines, partially characterized cell lines or were performed without controls, and this may have been detrimental to effective biomarker discovery. We have analyzed a panel of prostate cancer and nonmalignant control cell lines using current biomarkers and then investigated a set of prospective endosomal and lysosomal proteins to search for new biomarkers. METHODS Western blotting was used to define the amount of protein and specific molecular forms in cell extracts and culture media from a panel of nonmalignant (RWPE-1, PNT1a, PNT2) and prostate cancer (22RV1, CaHPV10, DU-145, LNCaP) cell lines. Gene expression was determined by qRT-PCR. RESULTS HPV-18 transfected cell lines displayed a different pattern of protein and gene expression when compared to the other cell lines examined, suggesting that these cell lines may not be the most optimal for prostate cancer biomarker discovery. There was an increased amount of prostatic acid phosphatase and kallikrein proteins in LNCaP cell extracts and culture media, but variable amounts of these proteins in other prostate cancer cell lines. There were minimal differences in the amounts of lysosomal proteins detected in prostate cancer cells and culture media, but two endosomal proteins, cathepsin B and acid ceramidase, had increased gene and protein expression, and certain molecular forms showed increased secretion from prostate cancer cells (P ≤ 0.05). LIMP-2 gene and protein expression was significantly increased in prostate cancer compared to nonmalignant cell lines (P ≤ 0.05). CONCLUSIONS While the existing prostate cancer biomarkers and lysosomal proteins investigated here were not able to specifically differentiate between a panel of nonmalignant and prostate cancer cell lines, endosomal proteins showed some discriminatory capacity. LIMP-2 is a critical regulator of endosome biogenesis and the increased expression observed in prostate cancer cells indicated that other endosome related proteins may also be upregulated and could be investigated as novel biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian R Johnson
- Mechanisms in Cell Biology and Disease Research Group, School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, Sansom Institute for Health Research, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia
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Hall MP, Schneider LV. Isotope-differentiated binding energy shift tags (IDBEST™) for improved targeted biomarker discovery and validation. Expert Rev Proteomics 2014; 1:421-31. [PMID: 15966839 DOI: 10.1586/14789450.1.4.421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Mass spectrometry has proved to be an important tool for protein biomarker discovery, identification and characterization. However, global proteomic profiling strategies often fail to identify known low-abundance biomarkers as a result of the limited dynamic range of mass spectrometry (two to three orders of magnitude) compared with the large dynamic range of protein concentrations in biologic fluids (11 to 12 orders of magnitude for serum). In addition, the number of peptides generated in such methods vastly overwhelms the resolution capacity of mass spectrometers, requiring extensive sample clean-up (e.g., affinity tag, retentate chromatography and/or high-performance liquid chromatography) before mass spectrometry analysis. Baiting and affinity pre-enrichment strategies, which overcome the dynamic range and sample complexity issues of global proteomic strategies, are very difficult to couple to mass spectrometry. This is due to the fact that it is nearly impossible to sort target peptides from those of the bait since there will be many cases of isobaric peptides. IDBEST (Target Discovery, Inc.) is a new tagging strategy that enables such pre-enrichment of specific proteins or protein classes as the resulting tagged peptides are distinguishable from those of the bait by a mass defect shift of approximately 0.1 atomic mass units. The special characteristics of these tags allow: resolution of tagged peptides from untagged peptides through incorporation of a mass defect element; high-precision quantitation of up- and downregulation by using stable isotope versions of the same tag; and potential analysis of protein isoforms through more complete peptide coverage from the proteins of interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael P Hall
- Target Discovery, Inc., 4015 Fabian Way, Palo Alto, CA 94303, USA.
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11
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Fonseca-Sanchéz MA, Pérez-Plasencia C, Fernández-Retana J, Arechaga-Ocampo E, Marchat LA, Rodríguez-Cuevas S, Bautista-Piña V, Arellano-Anaya ZE, Flores-Pérez A, Diaz-Chávez J, López-Camarillo C. microRNA-18b is upregulated in breast cancer and modulates genes involved in cell migration. Oncol Rep 2013; 30:2399-410. [PMID: 23970382 DOI: 10.3892/or.2013.2691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2013] [Accepted: 08/02/2013] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
microRNAs are small non-coding RNAs of ~22 nucleotides that function at post-transcriptional level as negative regulators of gene expression. Aberrant expression of microRNAs could promote uncontrolled proliferation, migration and invasion of human cancer cells. In this study, we analyzed the expression of microRNA-18b (miR-18b) in breast cancer cell lines and in a set of clinical specimens. Our results showed that miR-18b was upregulated in four out of five breast cancer cell lines and also in breast tumors. In order to identify potential gene targets, we carried out transcriptional profiling of MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells that ectopically expressed miR-18b. Our results showed that 263 genes were significantly modulated in miR-18b-deficient cells (fold change >1.5; P≤0.05). We found that knock-down of miR-18b induced the upregulation of 55 olfactory receptor (OR) genes and nine genes (NLRP7, KLK3, OLFM3, POSTN, MAGED4B, KIR3DL3, CRX, SEMG1 and CEACAM5) with key roles in cell migration and metastasis. Consistently, we found that ectopic inhibition of miR-18b suppressed the migration of two breast cancer cell models in vitro. In conclusion, we have uncovered genes directly or indirectly modulated by miR-18b which may represent potential therapeutic targets in breast cancer. Our data also pointed out a role of miR-18b in migration of breast cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel A Fonseca-Sanchéz
- Oncogenomics and Cancer Proteomics Laboratory, Genomics Sciences Program, Autonomous University of Mexico City, Mexico City, Mexico
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Mavridis K, Stravodimos K, Scorilas A. Quantified KLK15 gene expression levels discriminate prostate cancer from benign tumors and constitute a novel independent predictor of disease progression. Prostate 2013; 73:1191-201. [PMID: 23620432 DOI: 10.1002/pros.22667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2012] [Accepted: 02/26/2013] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Several transcript variants of the kallikrein-related peptidase 15 gene (KLK15) have been identified up to now. The classical KLK15 mRNA isoform encodes for a non-truncated, functional protein. Aberrant KLK15 expression is found in breast, ovarian, and prostate cancers. Our aim in this present study was the specific quantitative expression analysis of the classical KLK15 mRNA transcript in prostate tumors and the examination of its clinical significance in prostate cancer. METHODS We isolated total RNA from 150 prostate tissue specimens and, following cDNA synthesis, the expression of KLK15 classical mRNA transcript was measured via quantitative Real-Time PCR using the TaqMan® chemistry. HPRT1 was used as a reference gene, and the absolute quantification approach, through the incorporation of standard curves, was applied for the calculation of normalized KLK15 expression. RESULTS KLK15 expression levels were significantly upregulated in malignant compared to benign samples (P < 0.001). The discriminatory value of KLK15 was confirmed by ROC curve and logistic regression analysis (both P < 0.001). KLK15 was also associated with advanced pathological stage (P = 0.023). KLK15-positive prostate cancer patients presented significantly shorter progression-free survival intervals, determined by biochemical relapse (P = 0.006), compared to KLK15-negative ones. Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that KLK15 expression is an independent predictor of biochemical recurrence (HR = 3.36, P = 0.038). CONCLUSIONS The present study unravels the important role of quantified KLK15 classical mRNA expression levels as a novel biomarker helpful for the differential diagnosis and prognosis of prostate cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konstantinos Mavridis
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Athens, Athens, Greece
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Association between Prostinogen (KLK15) genetic variants and prostate cancer risk and aggressiveness in Australia and a meta-analysis of GWAS data. PLoS One 2011; 6:e26527. [PMID: 22132073 PMCID: PMC3223160 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0026527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2011] [Accepted: 09/28/2011] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Kallikrein 15 (KLK15)/Prostinogen is a plausible candidate for prostate cancer susceptibility. Elevated KLK15 expression has been reported in prostate cancer and it has been described as an unfavorable prognostic marker for the disease. OBJECTIVES We performed a comprehensive analysis of association of variants in the KLK15 gene with prostate cancer risk and aggressiveness by genotyping tagSNPs, as well as putative functional SNPs identified by extensive bioinformatics analysis. METHODS AND DATA SOURCES: Twelve out of 22 SNPs, selected on the basis of linkage disequilibrium pattern, were analyzed in an Australian sample of 1,011 histologically verified prostate cancer cases and 1,405 ethnically matched controls. Replication was sought from two existing genome wide association studies (GWAS): the Cancer Genetic Markers of Susceptibility (CGEMS) project and a UK GWAS study. RESULTS Two KLK15 SNPs, rs2659053 and rs3745522, showed evidence of association (p<0.05) but were not present on the GWAS platforms. KLK15 SNP rs2659056 was found to be associated with prostate cancer aggressiveness and showed evidence of association in a replication cohort of 5,051 patients from the UK, Australia, and the CGEMS dataset of US samples. A highly significant association with Gleason score was observed when the data was combined from these three studies with an Odds Ratio (OR) of 0.85 (95% CI = 0.77-0.93; p = 2.7×10(-4)). The rs2659056 SNP is predicted to alter binding of the RORalpha transcription factor, which has a role in the control of cell growth and differentiation and has been suggested to control the metastatic behavior of prostate cancer cells. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest a role for KLK15 genetic variation in the etiology of prostate cancer among men of European ancestry, although further studies in very large sample sets are necessary to confirm effect sizes.
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Batra J, Nagle CM, O'Mara T, Higgins M, Dong Y, Tan OL, Lose F, Skeie LM, Srinivasan S, Bolton KL, Song H, Ramus SJ, Gayther SA, Pharoah PDP, Kedda MA, Spurdle AB, Clements JA. A Kallikrein 15 (KLK15) single nucleotide polymorphism located close to a novel exon shows evidence of association with poor ovarian cancer survival. BMC Cancer 2011; 11:119. [PMID: 21457553 PMCID: PMC3080344 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2407-11-119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2010] [Accepted: 04/01/2011] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND KLK15 over-expression is reported to be a significant predictor of reduced progression-free survival and overall survival in ovarian cancer. Our aim was to analyse the KLK15 gene for putative functional single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and assess the association of these and KLK15 HapMap tag SNPs with ovarian cancer survival. RESULTS In silico analysis was performed to identify KLK15 regulatory elements and to classify potentially functional SNPs in these regions. After SNP validation and identification by DNA sequencing of ovarian cancer cell lines and aggressive ovarian cancer patients, 9 SNPs were shortlisted and genotyped using the Sequenom iPLEX Mass Array platform in a cohort of Australian ovarian cancer patients (N = 319). In the Australian dataset we observed significantly worse survival for the KLK15 rs266851 SNP in a dominant model (Hazard Ratio (HR) 1.42, 95% CI 1.02-1.96). This association was observed in the same direction in two independent datasets, with a combined HR for the three studies of 1.16 (1.00-1.34). This SNP lies 15 bp downstream of a novel exon and is predicted to be involved in mRNA splicing. The mutant allele is also predicted to abrogate an HSF-2 binding site. CONCLUSIONS We provide evidence of association for the SNP rs266851 with ovarian cancer survival. Our results provide the impetus for downstream functional assays and additional independent validation studies to assess the role of KLK15 regulatory SNPs and KLK15 isoforms with alternative intracellular functional roles in ovarian cancer survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jyotsna Batra
- Australian Prostate Cancer Research centre-Queensland and Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, Brisbane, Queensland 4059, Australia
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15
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Rabien A, Fritzsche FR, Jung M, Tölle A, Diamandis EP, Miller K, Jung K, Kristiansen G, Stephan C. KLK15 is a prognostic marker for progression-free survival in patients with radical prostatectomy. Int J Cancer 2010; 127:2386-94. [PMID: 20473923 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.25435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
In search of biomarkers for prostate cancer, we evaluated the expression of the human kallikrein-related peptidase KLK15 in samples of prostatic adenocarcinomas from radical prostatectomies. Twenty-five pairs of cancerous and adjacent normal prostatic tissue were selected by laser capture microdissection. The tissue was used for quantification of KLK15 mRNA by reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Immunohistochemical expression of the KLK15 protein in 193 samples of prostatic adenocarcinoma was analysed in relation to clinicopathological parameters of the patients and disease progression. Expression of KLK15 correlated with the pathological tumour stage and Gleason score of the cases, both at mRNA and at protein level. While mRNA expression in the tumour was elevated, the protein level of KLK15 was reduced compared with adjacent normal tissue and to prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia. Univariate Kaplan-Meier analysis showed a significant association of dichotomised KLK15 levels with disease progression defined by prostate-specific antigen relapse (p = 0.001). Multivariate analysis according to the Cox proportional hazards regression model identified dichotomised KLK15 expression, corrected for the patient parameters age, preoperative prostate-specific antigen level, pathological tumour stage, Gleason score and surgical margin status, as an independent prognostic factor for poor outcome (inclusion model, hazard ratio 1.802, 95% confidence interval 1.037-3.132, p = 0.037). We suggest KLK15 as a new independent tumour marker for patients at risk for disease progression after radical prostatectomy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anja Rabien
- Department of Urology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Charité Mitte, Berlin, Germany
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16
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Lawrence MG, Lai J, Clements JA. Kallikreins on steroids: structure, function, and hormonal regulation of prostate-specific antigen and the extended kallikrein locus. Endocr Rev 2010; 31:407-46. [PMID: 20103546 DOI: 10.1210/er.2009-0034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 169] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The 15 members of the kallikrein-related serine peptidase (KLK) family have diverse tissue-specific expression profiles and putative proteolytic functions. The kallikrein family is also emerging as a rich source of disease biomarkers with KLK3, commonly known as prostate-specific antigen, being the current serum biomarker for prostate cancer. The kallikrein locus is also notable because it is extraordinarily responsive to steroids and other hormones. Indeed, at least 14 functional hormone response elements have been identified in the kallikrein locus. A more comprehensive understanding of the transcriptional regulation of kallikreins may help the field make more informed hypotheses about the physiological functions of kallikreins and their effectiveness as biomarkers. In this review, we describe the organization of the kallikrein locus and the structure of kallikrein genes and proteins. We also focus on the transcriptional regulation of kallikreins by androgens, progestins, glucocorticoids, mineralocorticoids, estrogens, and other hormones in animal models and human prostate, breast, and reproductive tract tissues. The interaction of the androgen receptor with androgen response elements in the promoter and enhancer of KLK2 and KLK3 is also summarized in detail. There is evidence that all kallikreins are regulated by multiple nuclear receptors. Yet, apart from KLK2 and KLK3, it is not clear whether all kallikreins are direct transcriptional targets. Therefore, we argue that gaining more detailed information about the mechanisms that regulate kallikrein expression should be a priority of future studies and that the kallikrein locus will continue to be an important model in the era of genome-wide analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mitchell G Lawrence
- Australian Prostate Cancer Research Centre-Queensland, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
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17
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Mavridis K, Scorilas A. Prognostic value and biological role of the kallikrein-related peptidases in human malignancies. Future Oncol 2010; 6:269-85. [PMID: 20146586 DOI: 10.2217/fon.09.149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer is a substantial health problem for the populations of the Western world. The discovery of new molecular biomarkers for diagnosis, prognosis and monitoring patients' response to therapy can aid in combating this complicated disease. The human kallikrein-related peptidases (human tissue kallikreins [KLKs]) are encoded by a continuous multigene family, located on chromosomal region 19q13.3-4. KLK3 (prostate-specific antigen) is the most efficient cancer biomarker ever employed. KLK genes are expressed abnormally in various malignancies, where they affect cancer-cell growth and metastasis. Their deregulated expression pattern, often associated with various clinicopathological characteristics of cancer patients, can be exploited, solely or within multiparametric panels, as a prognostic biomarker. Recent data illustrate that discernible molecular modulations of KLKs, occurring as a result of cancer cells' treatment with antitumor agents, may serve as new potential biomarkers, possibly predicting patients' treatment response. It is believed that KLKs might be employed in future clinical practice as novel and effective tumor markers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konstantinos Mavridis
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
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18
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Mavridis K, Avgeris M, Koutalellis G, Stravodimos K, Scorilas A. Expression analysis and study of the KLK15 mRNA splice variants in prostate cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia. Cancer Sci 2010; 101:693-9. [PMID: 20067463 PMCID: PMC11158190 DOI: 10.1111/j.1349-7006.2009.01450.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed malignancy in male populations in the Western world. The KLK15 gene, the newest member of the kallikrein family, is expressed in the prostate gland. The purpose of this study is the expression analysis and the clinical evaluation of the KLK15 mRNA spliced variants in prostate cancer (CaP) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) patients. Total RNA was isolated from 104 CaP and BPH tissue specimens. After testing the quality of the RNA, cDNA was produced by reverse transcription, and PCR was performed for the amplification of the KLK15 mRNA transcripts. GAPDH and HPRT genes were used as endogenous controls Our data revealed that mRNA spliced variants of KLK15 were differentially expressed in prostate tissue specimens. Analysis of data showed a statistically significant (P < 0.001) increase in the frequency of overexpression of KLK15 transcripts encoding for both the active isoform and for the isoform 3 in CaP compared to BPH samples. Furthermore, KLK15 transcripts were found to be highly expressed in more aggressive tumors (P = 0.017). These results suggest that KLK15 expression analysis could be employed as a valuable tool for the discrimination between BPH and CaP tissue specimens and as an unfavorable prognostic marker for prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konstantinos Mavridis
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Athens, Athens, Greece
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19
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Shen M, Vermeulen R, Rajaraman P, Menashe I, He X, Chapman RS, Yeager M, Thomas G, Burdett L, Hutchinson A, Yuenger J, Chanock S, Lan Q. Polymorphisms in innate immunity genes and lung cancer risk in Xuanwei, China. ENVIRONMENTAL AND MOLECULAR MUTAGENESIS 2009; 50:285-290. [PMID: 19170196 PMCID: PMC2666781 DOI: 10.1002/em.20452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
The high incidence of lung cancer in Xuanwei County, China has been attributed to exposure to indoor smoky coal emissions that contain polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The inflammatory response induced by coal smoke components may promote lung tumor development. We studied the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes involved in innate immunity and lung cancer risk in a population-based case-control study (122 cases and 122 controls) in Xuanwei. A total of 1,360 tag SNPs in 149 gene regions were included in the analysis. FCER2 rs7249320 was the most significant SNP (OR: 0.30; 95% CI: 0.16-0.55; P: 0.0001; false discovery rate value, 0.13) for variant carriers. The gene regions ALOX12B/ALOX15B and KLK2 were associated with increased lung cancer risk globally (false discovery rate value <0.15). In addition, there were positive interactions between KLK15 rs3745523 and smoky coal use (OR: 9.40; P-interaction = 0.07) and between FCER2 rs7249320 and KLK2 rs2739476 (OR: 10.77; P-interaction = 0.003). Our results suggest that genetic polymorphisms in innate immunity genes may play a role in the genesis of lung cancer caused by PAH-containing coal smoke. Integrin/receptor and complement pathways as well as IgE regulation are particularly noteworthy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Shen
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, NIH, DHHS, MSC 7240, 6120 Executive Blvd., Bethesda, Maryland 20892-7240, USA.
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20
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Clements JA, Willemsen NM, Myers SA, Dong Y. The Tissue Kallikrein Family of Serine Proteases: Functional Roles in Human Disease and Potential as Clinical Biomarkers. Crit Rev Clin Lab Sci 2008; 41:265-312. [PMID: 15307634 DOI: 10.1080/10408360490471931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 140] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Prostate specific antigen (PSA) or human kallikrein 3 (hK3) has long been an effective biomarker for prostate cancer. Now, other members of the tissue kallikrein (KLK) gene family are fast becoming of clinical interest due to their potential as prognostic biomarkers. particularly for hormone dependent cancers. The tissue kallikreins are serine proteases that are encoded by highly conserved multi-gene family clusters in rodents and humans. The rat and mouse loci contain 10 and 25 functional genes, respectively, while the human locus at 19q 13.4 contains 15 genes. The structural organization and size of these genes are similar across species; all genes have 5 coding exons that encode a prepro-enzyme. Although the physiological activators of these zymogens have not been described, in vitro biochemical studies show that some kallikreins can auto-activate and others can activate each other, suggesting that the kallikreins may participate in an enzymatic cascade similar to that of the coagulation cascade. These genes are expressed, to varying degrees, in a wide range of tissues suggesting a functional involvement in a diverse range of physiological and pathophysiological processes. These include roles in normal skin desquamation and psoriatic lesions, tooth development, neural plasticity, and Alzheimer's disease (AD). Of particular interest is the expression of many kallikreins in prostate, ovarian, and breast cancers where they are emerging as useful prognostic indicators of disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judith A Clements
- Hormone Dependent Cancer Program, Cluster for Molecular Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences & Science Research Centre, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia.
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21
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Gregorakis AK, Stefanakis S, Malovrouvas D, Petraki K, Gourgiotis D, Scorilas A. Total and free PSA kinetics in patients without prostate cancer undergoing radical cystoprostatectomy. Prostate 2008; 68:759-65. [PMID: 18213630 DOI: 10.1002/pros.20733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Radical cystoprostatectomy and radical prostatectomy are the two major operations where prostate is totally and radically removed. Radical cystoprostatectomy is usually performed in patients with invasive bladder cancer. The aim of the study was to examine Total PSA, Free PSA, and Free/Total Ratio elimination kinetics after radical cystoprostatectomy. METHODS Serum PSA, Free PSA, and Free/Total Ratio were determined preoperatively, at the time of cystoprostatectomy specimen removal and then at 3, 6, 12, 24, 48, 72, and 168 hr, from seven patients with muscle invasive bladder cancer, who underwent radical cystoprostatectomy. Free and Total PSA concentrations were measured with non-competitive immunological procedures. The elimination rates and half-lives of Total, Free PSA and Free/Total Ratio were studied using a nonlinear regression analysis. RESULTS Surgical manipulations caused about 1.5-fold increase of PSA, 5-fold increase in Free PSA and 3-fold increase in Free/Total Ratio. PSA and Free PSA followed a biphasic elimination pattern of a rapid exponential (a) phase with a half-life of 4.27 and 2.14 hr and a terminal, nonexponential (b) phase with a half-life of 63 and 173.2 hr, respectively. Free/Total PSA Ratio followed, also, a biphasic kinetic pattern of a rapid exponential decline with a half-life of 3.34 and a terminal non-exponential increase with a doubling time of 43 hr. CONCLUSIONS Comparing PSA kinetics after radical cystoprostatectomy with those of radical prostatectomy, it appears that PSA follows the same elimination pattern in both models. In contrast, Free PSA and Free/Total Ratio elimination kinetics' patterns differ between the two surgical models.
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22
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Shaw JLV, Grass L, Sotiropoulou G, Diamandis EP. Development of an immunofluorometric assay for human kallikrein 15 (KLK15) and identification of KLK15 in tissues and biological fluids. Clin Biochem 2007; 40:104-10. [PMID: 17045982 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinbiochem.2006.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2006] [Revised: 07/19/2006] [Accepted: 07/27/2006] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Human kallikrein 15 (KLK15) may have some utility as a prostate, ovarian, and breast cancer biomarker, based on previous studies, which examined mRNA levels of KLK15. The aim of this study was to develop analytical technology for human kallikrein 15, including recombinant protein, specific antibodies, and a sensitive and specific ELISA immunoassay. The assay was then used to examine levels of KLK15 in tissues and biological fluids. METHODS We produced human, recombinant pro-KLK15 in HEK 293 cells. Recombinant KLK15 was purified with various chromatographic steps and used to immunize rabbits and mice for production of KLK15 polyclonal antibodies. We used these antibodies to develop a highly sensitive and specific KLK15 immunoassay and to study KLK15 expression in various tissues and biological fluids. RESULTS Large amounts of pure, recombinant KLK15 have been produced and characterized. KLK15 mouse and rabbit polyclonal antibodies have been employed for development of a KLK15 immunoassay. This assay has a lower detection limit of 0.05 microg/L, and no cross-reactivity with any of the other fourteen kallikreins. Using this assay, KLK15 was detected in prostate, colon, and thyroid tissues, as well as in breast milk and seminal plasma. CONCLUSIONS The KLK15 reagents developed here will allow for analysis of KLK15 protein expression levels in tissues and biological fluids, both normal and cancerous. This will expand upon previously characterized tissue KLK15 mRNA expression studies which suggested that KLK15 might be useful as a biomarker for breast, ovarian, and prostate cancer. KLK15 is another serine protease that is produced in prostate and other tissues and is secreted in seminal plasma and other fluids. Its physiological function needs to be further elucidated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie L V Shaw
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Mount Sinai Hospital, 600 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5G 1X5
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23
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Thomadaki H, Talieri M, Scorilas A. Treatment of MCF-7 cells with taxol and etoposide induces distinct alterations in the expression of apoptosis-related genes BCL2, BCL2L12, BAX, CASPASE-9 and FAS. Biol Chem 2006; 387:1081-6. [PMID: 16895478 DOI: 10.1515/bc.2006.133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
We studied alterations in the mRNA expression levels of BCL2 (Bcl-2), BCL2L12, BAX, FAS and CASPASE-9 genes in the MCF-7 breast cancer cell line in response to treatment with two anticancer drugs. Cell toxicity was evaluated by the MTT method, trypan blue staining and DNA laddering, whereas the expression levels of the apoptosis-related genes were analysed by RT-PCR using gene-specific primers. In the case of etoposide, down-regulation of the BCL2L12-A gene variant and of CASPASE-9, as well as upregulation of BAX, was observed, whereas treatment of MCF-7 cells with taxol led to down-regulation of the mRNA levels of all genes examined. Our results support the idea that after long-term clinical studies, mRNA expression analysis of BCL2L12 and other members of the BCL2 gene family may serve as useful molecular markers predicting chemotherapy response in breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hellinida Thomadaki
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis, and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Papanikolaou Cancer Research Centre, St. Savas Hospital, Athens, Greece
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24
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Petraki CD, Papanastasiou PA, Karavana VN, Diamandis EP. Cellular distribution of human tissue kallikreins: immunohistochemical localization. Biol Chem 2006; 387:653-63. [PMID: 16800726 DOI: 10.1515/bc.2006.084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
We have studied the immunohistochemical expression (IE) of eight non-tissue-specific human kallikreins (hKs) (hK5, 6, 7, 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14) in different normal tissues. The IE was always cytoplasmic, showing a characteristic pattern in some tissues. Comparison of the IE of all hKs studied in the different tissues revealed no major differences, suggesting that they share a common mode of regulation. Furthermore, hKs were immunohistochemically revealed in a variety of tissues, indicating that no protein is tissue-specific (except for hK2 and hK3, which have tissue-restricted expression). In general, our results correspond well with data from RT-PCR and ELISA assays. Glandular epithelia constitute the main kallikrein IE sites, and the staining in their secretions confirms that these proteases are secreted. A variety of other tissues express the proteins as well. We have also immunohistochemically evaluated all the above hKs in several malignant tissues. Tumors arising from tissues expressing kallikreins tested positive. Corresponding to the IE in normal glandular tissues, most hKs were expressed in adenocarcinomas. The prognostic value of several hKs was studied in series of prostate, renal cell, colon and urothelial carcinomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Constantina D Petraki
- Department of Pathology, Evangelismos Hospital, GR-10676 Athens, Greece, and Depament of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Canada
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25
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Slagter MH, Gooren LJG, de Ronde W, Soosaipillai A, Scorilas A, Giltay EJ, Paliouras M, Diamandis EP. Serum and Urine Tissue Kallikrein Concentrations in Male-to-Female Transsexuals Treated with Antiandrogens and Estrogens. Clin Chem 2006; 52:1356-65. [PMID: 16644872 DOI: 10.1373/clinchem.2006.068932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Background: The expression of human tissue kallikrein genes is regulated by steroid hormones, but most studies have been conducted with cancer cell lines. Our purpose was to examine serum and urinary tissue kallikrein concentration changes in male-to-female transsexuals before and after treatment with antiandrogens and estrogens.
Methods: Thirty-five male-to-female transsexuals receiving cyproterone acetate and estrogens (orally or transdermally) were included in this study. Serum and urine samples were collected before initiation of therapy and 4 and 12 months post therapy. ELISAs were used to measure multiple kallikreins in serum and urine.
Results: After antiandrogen and estrogen therapy, serum testosterone concentrations decreased dramatically, as did serum and urinary concentrations of human glandular kallikrein (hK2) and prostate-specific antigen (PSA; hK3). Statistically significant but relatively small changes in serum and urinary concentrations of many other kallikreins were also seen. Kallikreins in serum and urine were correlated before and after treatment.
Conclusions: The concentrations of hK2 and hK3, but not of any other kallikreins, decrease dramatically after combined antiandrogen and estrogen treatment in male-to-female transsexuals. The smaller responses of the other kallikreins presumably reflect their expression in multiple tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margrita H Slagter
- Department of Endocrinology, VU University Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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26
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Scorilas A, Gregorakis AK. mRNA expression analysis of human kallikrein 11 (KLK11) may be useful in the discrimination of benign prostatic hyperplasia from prostate cancer after needle prostate biopsy. Biol Chem 2006; 387:789-93. [PMID: 16800741 DOI: 10.1515/bc.2006.099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
AbstractKallikrein 11 (KLK11,TLSP, hippostatin) is a member of the human kallikrein gene family, which includes PSA,KLK2and 12 other members, all localized on chromosome 19q13.4. The aim of this study was to investigate whetherKLK11expression could be used to discriminate prostate cancer (CaP) from benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in needle prostate biopsies. We analyzed the expression of the prostate-type variant of theKLK11gene in 64 CaP and BPH tissues obtained by transrectal ultrasound-guided needle biopsy. Reverse transcription (RT), PCR and image analysis methodologies were developed and used. Of the 42 BPH tissues examined, only 10 (23.8%) were positive for prostate-typeKLK11expression, while of the 22 CaP patients, 12 (54.5%) wereKLK11-positive (p=0.025). Logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic curve analyses demonstrated thatKLK11expression has a significant discriminatory value (crude odds ratio=3.84,p=0.016; area under the curve, 0.65, 95% CI 0.51–0.80) between CaP and BPH in needle prostate biopsies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Scorilas
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, and Urology Department, Attikon General Hospital, University of Athens, GR-157 01 Athens, Greece.
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27
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Fritzsche F, Gansukh T, Borgoño CA, Burkhardt M, Pahl S, Mayordomo E, Winzer KJ, Weichert W, Denkert C, Jung K, Stephan C, Dietel M, Diamandis EP, Dahl E, Kristiansen G. Expression of human Kallikrein 14 (KLK14) in breast cancer is associated with higher tumour grades and positive nodal status. Br J Cancer 2006; 94:540-7. [PMID: 16434994 PMCID: PMC2361186 DOI: 10.1038/sj.bjc.6602956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Human kallikrein 14 (KLK14) is a steroid hormone-regulated member of the tissue kallikrein family of serine proteases, for which a prognostic and diagnostic value in breast cancer has been suggested. To further characterise the value of KLK14 as a breast tumour marker, we have carefully analysed KLK14 expression in normal breast tissue and breast cancer both on the RNA level by real-time RT-PCR (n=39), and on the protein level (n=127) using a KLK14-specific antibody for immunohistochemistry. We correlated KLK14 protein expression data with available clinico-pathological parameters (mean follow-up time was 55 months) including patient prognosis. KLK14 RNA expression as quantified by real-time RT-PCR was significantly more abundant in breast tumours compared to normal breast tissue (P=0.027), an issue that had not been clarified recently. Concordantly with the RNA data, cytoplasmic KLK14 protein expression was significantly higher in invasive breast carcinomas compared to normal breast tissues (P=0.003). Furthermore, KLK14 protein expression was associated with higher tumour grade (P=0.041) and positive nodal status (P=0.045) but was not significantly associated with shortened disease-free or overall patient survival time in univariate analyses. We conclude that KLK14 is clearly overexpressed in breast cancer in comparison to normal breast tissues and is positively associated with conventional parameters of tumour aggressiveness, but due to a missing association with survival times, the use of KLK14 immunohistochemistry as a prognostic marker in breast cancer is questionable.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Fritzsche
- Institute of Pathology, Department of Urology, Charité Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany
| | - T Gansukh
- Institute of Pathology, Department of Urology, Charité Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany
| | - C A Borgoño
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - M Burkhardt
- Institute of Pathology, Department of Urology, Charité Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany
| | - S Pahl
- Institute of Pathology, Department of Urology, Charité Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany
| | - E Mayordomo
- Institute of Pathology, Department of Urology, Charité Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany
| | - K-J Winzer
- Breast Cancer Center, Charité Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany
| | - W Weichert
- Institute of Pathology, Department of Urology, Charité Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany
| | - C Denkert
- Institute of Pathology, Department of Urology, Charité Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany
| | - K Jung
- Department of Urology, Charité Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany
| | - C Stephan
- Department of Urology, Charité Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany
| | - M Dietel
- Institute of Pathology, Department of Urology, Charité Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany
| | - E P Diamandis
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - E Dahl
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital of the RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - G Kristiansen
- Institute of Pathology, Department of Urology, Charité Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany
- Breast Cancer Center, Charité Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany
- Institute of Pathology, Department of Urology, Charité Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany. E-mail:
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28
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Obiezu CV, Diamandis EP. Human tissue kallikrein gene family: applications in cancer. Cancer Lett 2005; 224:1-22. [PMID: 15911097 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2004.09.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2004] [Accepted: 09/15/2004] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Human tissue kallikrein genes, located on the long arm of chromosome 19, are a subgroup of the serine protease family of proteolytic enzymes. Initially thought to consist of three members, the human kallikrein locus has now been extended and includes 15 tandemly located genes. These genes, and their protein products, share a high degree of homology and are expressed in a wide array of tissues, mainly those that are under steroid hormone control. PSA (hK3) is one of the human kallikreins, and is the most useful tumor marker for prostate cancer screening, diagnosis, prognosis and monitoring. hK2, another prostate-specific kallikrein, has also been proposed as a complementary prostate cancer biomarker. In the past 5 years, the newly discovered kallikreins (KLK4-KLK15) have been associated with several types of cancer. For example, hK4, hK5, hK6, hK7, hK8, hK10, hK11, hK13 and hK14 are emerging biomarkers for ovarian, breast, prostate and testicular cancer. New evidence raises the possibility that some kallikreins are directly involved with cancer progression. We here review the evidence linking kallikreins and cancer and their applicability as novel biomarkers for cancer diagnosis and management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina V Obiezu
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Mount Sinai Hospital, 600 University Avenue, Toronto, Ont., Canada M5G 1X5
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29
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Felber LM, Borgoño CA, Cloutier SM, Kündig C, Kishi T, Ribeiro Chagas J, Jichlinski P, Gygi CM, Leisinger HJ, Diamandis EP, Deperthes D. Enzymatic profiling of human kallikrein 14 using phage-display substrate technology. Biol Chem 2005; 386:291-8. [PMID: 15843175 DOI: 10.1515/bc.2005.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
AbstractThe humanKLK14gene is one of the newly identified serine protease genes belonging to the human kallikrein family, which contains 15 members.KLK14, like all other members of the human kallikrein family, is predicted to encode for a secreted serine protease already found in various biological fluids. This new kallikrein is mainly expressed in prostate and endocrine tissues, but its function is still unknown. Recent studies have demonstrated thatKLK14gene expression is up-regulated in prostate and breast cancer tissues, and that higher expression levels correlate with more aggressive tumors. In this work, we used phage-display substrate technology to study the substrate specificity of hK14. A phage-displayed random pentapeptide library with exhaustive diversity was screened with purified recombinant hK14. Highly specific and sensitive substrates were selected from the library. We show that hK14 has dual activity, trypsin- and chymotrypsin-like, with a preference for cleavage after arginine residues. A SwissProt database search with selected sequences identified six potential human protein substrates for hK14. Two of them, laminin α-5 and collagen IV, which are major components of the extracellular matrix, have been demonstrated to be hydrolyzed efficiently by hK14.
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Affiliation(s)
- Loyse M Felber
- Urology Research Unit, Department of Urology, CHUV, CH-1066 Epalinges, Switzerland
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30
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Yousef GM, Obiezu CV, Luo LY, Magklara A, Borgoño CA, Kishi T, Memari N, Michael LP, Sidiropoulos M, Kurlender L, Economopolou K, Kapadia C, Komatsu N, Petraki C, Elliott M, Scorilas A, Katsaros D, Levesque MA, Diamandis EP. Human Tissue Kallikreins: From Gene Structure to Function and Clinical Applications. Adv Clin Chem 2005; 39:11-79. [PMID: 16013667 DOI: 10.1016/s0065-2423(04)39002-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- George M Yousef
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1X5, Canada
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31
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Abstract
Human tissue kallikreins (hKs), which are encoded by the largest contiguous cluster of protease genes in the human genome, are secreted serine proteases with diverse expression patterns and physiological roles. Although primarily known for their clinical applicability as cancer biomarkers, recent evidence implicates hKs in many cancer-related processes, including cell-growth regulation, angiogenesis, invasion and metastasis. They have been shown to promote or inhibit neoplastic progression, acting individually and/or in cascades with other hKs and proteases, and might represent attractive targets for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla A Borgoño
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, M5G1X5, Canada
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32
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Borgoño CA, Michael IP, Diamandis EP. Human Tissue Kallikreins: Physiologic Roles and Applications in Cancer. Mol Cancer Res 2004. [DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.257.2.5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Abstract
Tissue kallikreins are members of the S1 family (clan SA) of trypsin-like serine proteases and are present in at least six mammalian orders. In humans, tissue kallikreins (hK) are encoded by 15 structurally similar, steroid hormone–regulated genes (KLK) that colocalize to chromosome 19q13.4, representing the largest cluster of contiguous protease genes in the entire genome. hKs are widely expressed in diverse tissues and implicated in a range of normal physiologic functions from the regulation of blood pressure and electrolyte balance to tissue remodeling, prohormone processing, neural plasticity, and skin desquamation. Several lines of evidence suggest that hKs may be involved in cascade reactions and that cross-talk may exist with proteases of other catalytic classes. The proteolytic activity of hKs is regulated in several ways including zymogen activation, endogenous inhibitors, such as serpins, and via internal (auto)cleavage leading to inactivation. Dysregulated hK expression is associated with multiple diseases, primarily cancer. As a consequence, many kallikreins, in addition to hK3/PSA, have been identified as promising diagnostic and/or prognostic biomarkers for several cancer types, including ovarian, breast, and prostate. Recent data also suggest that hKs may be causally involved in carcinogenesis, particularly in tumor metastasis and invasion, and, thus, may represent attractive drug targets to consider for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla A. Borgoño
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, and Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Iacovos P. Michael
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, and Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Eleftherios P. Diamandis
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, and Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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33
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Yousef GM, Kopolovic AD, Elliott MB, Diamandis EP. Genomic overview of serine proteases. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2003; 305:28-36. [PMID: 12732192 DOI: 10.1016/s0006-291x(03)00638-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Serine proteases (SP) are peptidases with a uniquely activated serine residue in the substrate-binding pocket. They represent about 0.6% of all proteins in the human genome. SP are involved in many vital functions such as digestion, blood clotting, fibrinolysis, fertilization, and complement activation and are related to many diseases including cancer, arthritis, and emphysema. In this study, we performed a genomic analysis of human serine proteases utilizing different databases, primarily that of MEROPS. SP are distributed along all human chromosomes except 18 and Y with the highest density (23 genes) on chromosome 19. They are either randomly located within the genome or occur in clusters. We identified a number of SP clusters, the largest being the kallikrein cluster on chromosome 19q13.4 which is formed of 15 adjacent genes. Other clusters are located on chromosomes 19p13, 16p13, 14q11, 13q35, 11q22, and 7q35. Genes of each cluster tend to be of comparable sizes and to be transcribed in the same direction. The members of some clusters are sometimes functionally related, e.g., the involvement of many kallikreins in endocrine-related malignancies and the hematopoietic cluster on chromosome 14. It is hypothesized that members of some clusters are under common regulatory mechanisms and might be involved in cascade enzymatic pathways. Several functional domains are found in SP, which reflect their functional diversity. Membrane-type SP tend to cluster in 3 chromosomes and have some common structural domains. Several databases are available for screening, structural and functional analysis of serine proteases. With the near completion of the Human Genome Project, research will be more focused on the interactions between SP and their involvement in pathophysiological processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- George M Yousef
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ont, Canada, M5G 1X5
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